The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
5-HTP
Posted by Cindy (Orange County, California) on 09/04/2011
★★★★★
I was having terrible IBS symptoms along with extreme anxiety. I started taking 5-htp on the advice of my naturopathic doctor. Within 1-2 weeks, my IBS reduced substantially and my anxiety lessened dramatically. I felt great everyday with a more stable, consistent mood than I have ever felt in my life.
According to my doctor, a large proportion of serotonin either resides or is made in your gut (I forget which) so it makes sense that it helped my IBS. When I started, I was taking 200 mg each morning. It didn't help me sleep though, in fact it kept me wide awake. After taking for about a year or so, I started feeling very ill every morning. It took me a long time to figure out it was the 5-htp. However, my general health has improved much over the past year and I have now cut the dose back to 50 mg per day and can handle it fine. My doctor told me my system probably did not need as much now and this is perhaps why larger doses were making me so ill.
Replied by
Art (California)
12/24/2022
2327 posts
Tina Marie
(Indiana)
12/10/2023
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Juliette (USA ) on 08/16/2019
★★★★★
My husband has basically dealt with ibs-d for decades. He knows Ice cream and raw veggies will get him bad but diarrhea is present most of the time for him.
For the last two weeks, he has been taking 2 charcoal tablets before bed every night. This has helped him very much. He is even eating salad without difficulty.
My gut was out of whack after travel and a stomach bug. Just one dose of charcoal finally got me back to normal. It's cheap and effective but shouldn't be taken within 2 hours of medications.
Juliette
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Annabell (Bakersfield, California) on 08/04/2008
★★★★★
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: I am 33 years old female with a sensitive stomach..Almost everything I consume always result in heavy gas and bloating. A friend recommended to take Charcoal pills..I have tried almost every prescription medications there is and was excited that charcoal is an old asian alternative medications. I take 1-2 capsule 1-2hours prior to eating..I make sure to have water intake at least 8 glasses a day. Within 1wk I felt immediate results, less bloating, irrability and back to having a regular bowel movement.
Happy stomach.
Replied by
Joyce (Joelton, Tn)
08/04/2008
490 posts
Replied by
Whisperingsage (Northeastern California)
03/30/2014
45 posts
Aloe Vera Juice
Posted by Alex (Chicago, IL) on 12/27/2006
★★★★★
I cured myself of IBS with aloe vera juice, I used to have to sleep sitting up every night until I started taking aloe vera juice. Drink this every day for 3 months.
Replied by lyn
(grapevine, tx)
04/28/2009
Replied by Eleonora
(Athens, Greece)
09/25/2010
Replied by Christina
(Florida)
09/16/2015
Replied by Al Hudson
(Homestead, Fl.)
09/17/2015
★★★★★
Replied by Juda
(In)
08/10/2016
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Malati Mukherjee (Coonoor, India) on 12/18/2021
★★★★★
My friend had been on blood pressure medicines and was unsure of what to do when her doctor went out of town and she couldn't consult him for continuation of the dosage.
I suggested that she take a tablespoon of ACV in water or fruit juice once a day till the doc was back and she could consult him again.
2 weeks later, the doc was back and after testing her told her she needn't go back to the medication again:)
When the mother of a 20-year old told me he's been having IBS ever since he was a child and that they've tried everything including holistic treatments, we decided to try the ACV. Same dosage of 1 tablespoon with water or fruit juice once a day. By the end of the first bottle his IBS was gone. It hasn't come back in the 5 years since then:)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kelly (Wisconsin, US) on 06/30/2014
★★★★★
Recently started taking Apple Cider Vinegar for other health benefits and noticed a positive effect on my IBS problems. I don't even take it everyday but I take about 4 tablespoons at a time in juice to help with the taste. Before that I had luck in managing the symptoms with Slippery Elm Bark pills. Which I took when I felt an episode coming on.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mm Sethi (New Delhi, Delhi) on 02/09/2012
★★★★★
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. What a wonderful natural remedy. I have been suffering from IBS for years. One evening when I was having too much of problem, I surfed the net and came across this remedy. I took a single dose of ACV and felt better. I took one dose next morning and passed the day without any problem. Now I am taking just one dose in the morning and feeling good. One precaution, n it causes constipation so you have to keep this in mind
Replied by Kazim
(Peshawar, Pakistan)
04/11/2012
Replied by Gavin
(Manganui, Northland, New Zealand)
04/11/2012
Replied by
Ladyliza (Granada Hills, Ca/usa)
04/11/2012
32 posts
Replied by Anja
(Saint Augustine, Fl)
04/11/2012
Replied by Had
(White River Jct, Vermont)
04/12/2012
Replied by Idow
(Miami, Fl)
04/29/2012
Replied by Janice
(Ebony, Va)
07/30/2012
Replied by Daniel
(Hyde Park, Utah)
10/10/2012
Replied by Shawn
(Toronto, On)
10/30/2012
Replied by Jessica
(California)
06/16/2013
Replied by Mama To Many
(Middle, Tennessee, Usa)
06/17/2013
Replied by Trudyg
(Xxx, Yyy)
06/17/2013
Replied by Dave
(Fountain Inn, SC)
06/18/2013
Replied by Jessie
(Riverdale, Md)
06/18/2013
Replied by Mama To Many
(Middle, Tennessee, Usa)
06/18/2013
Replied by Trudyg
(USA)
06/19/2013
Replied by Lorrie
(Florida)
08/22/2018
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Hef (Mississauga, Ontario) on 12/11/2011
★★★★★
I have been using Organic Raw ACV for my IBS symptoms.... It worked really well after I added a little bit of baking soda and 1/4 tsp of Cayenne Pepper with a bit of Turmeric. Overall symptoms are significantly better now.
It keeps going and coming in cycles ... Every couple of week especially when I am not sleeping enough and work and family realted stress. I am working to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night and not to sleep late on the weekends and exercise more often at the gym.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mikeh95 (Salem, Oh, United States) on 04/09/2011
★★★★★
Amazing how this instantly cured my IBS! I have been suffering with IBS for about a year now. I got IBS at age 14 and it really made high school a living hell. Now I'm currently 15 and I'm cured! The quality of life is so much better for me now. I recommend AVC to everyone with IBS, it works amazingly.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Diane (Columbia, Missouri, Usa) on 04/22/2010
★★★★★
I'm a 48 yr old, post menopausal female. I was diagnosed with IBS about 14 yrs ago. I've had flare ups off and on over the years. It got much worse after going through menopause. No prescription meds seems to work. About a yr ago, I tried acupuncture and in less than 3 sessions I was basically "cured"...until I developed a hiatal hernia. the doc gave me omeprazole for the pain. I'm pretty sure that the medicine got rid of ALL the acid in my stomach, therefore my IBS flared up big time because my stomach was unable to digest food properly. The gas, bloating, cramping and irregular stools all came back with a vengence. thanks to this website, I decided to try ACV. After the first dose, I noticed improvement. After that, I've had no symptoms AT ALL. I've been drinking it for a week now. For myself, 1tbsp in about 8oz of water 3 times a day works for me. And it's unfiltered organic ACV with the 'mother'. I also noticed an immediate increase in energy which was a huge welcome! I did have some constipation for about 3 days, but I stuck it out and now I'm regular and "normal". I also feel like I am able to breath deeper now, which I was having trouble with before.I don't use the baking soda with the ACV because I just love the taste of vinegar anyway. I wouldn't drink it straight up though, because I think it would burn like the devil. I'm sure the vinegar is why I no longer have the symptoms from the hiatal hernia too, acid reflux, etc. Trying to pass this amazing "fix" on to friends and family..Mostly I just get funny looks. Oh well, their loss. I won't be without my ACV again. ps..haven't changed my diet in the least either. Thank you EC!
Replied by Paula
(Westhampton Beach, Ny)
02/26/2011
★★★★★
Replied by Diane
(Columbia, Missouri)
10/24/2011
★★★★★
Replied by Zoltar
(San Diego, Ca Usa)
10/23/2012
Replied by Pocketmonkey
(Colmesneil, Texas)
01/09/2013
Replied by Ed2010
(Oakville, Canada)
07/21/2013
Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
07/22/2013
Replied by Ed2010
(Oakville, Canada)
07/22/2013
Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
07/23/2013
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dawn (Ekron, KY) on 01/20/2007
★★★★★
I have suffered from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for nearly 20 years. My worst symptom is chronic constipation. For a while I was unknowingly on a "natural" stimulant and didn't realize I was dependent on it to stay "regular". After two partial bowel obstructions I realized what had happened and have had trouble getting regular again without the aide of stimulants UNTIL Apple Cider Vinegar! I have been taking it three times each day since before Thanksgiving and have been regular with no other "help" aides for almost two months. To avoid the additional calories that come from taking ACV with honey or juices, I dilute mine with flavored carbonated water and it has become very easy to take.
Replied by Anonymous
(Plymouth, Ma)
05/10/2012
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Suzi (Dayton, Ohio) on 11/19/2006
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar cured my Sore throat, sinus infection, loose stools, gas, lack of energy, depression, decreased my appetite, cleared up a dermatologic problem. My sister got me started taking organic ACV 1 tsp in 8 oz spring water 3 times a day. At first I tried it because I had a sore throat that was immediately gone, my sinus infection went away within 24 hours or so. I have IBS and have been battling foul-smelling loose stools for years. Within a couple of days my stools were formed with almost no odor. I feel 100% better. My appetite just dropped and I'm not getting fatty food cravings like I used to and I've lost 22 pounds so far. Also, I have had big
painful butt boils off and on for years and my hindquarters cleared up within a couple of days.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Rocky (Saudi Arabia) on 12/16/2016
★★★☆☆
I'm suffering from ibs for 3 years. the test that im positive before is h. pylorie and was cured by medicine but later diagnosed of ibs. symptoms are bloating constipation diarhea acid reflux. im look soome older post in your website may be the cause of my ibs is a bad bacteria. im trying now ACV/BS and lemon for two weeks now I have some distention still and acid reflux. could it be cured? taking probiotics acidofilos and yugort hoping for your kind reply.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Jack (Leominster, Massachusetts, Ma) on 11/25/2009
★★★★★
I was diagnosed with IBS, awful bloating, trouble breathing awful pain. The Dr had prescibed a # of meds that didn't help. I started taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. I had almost immediate results. I wish I started this 10 years ago.I take it in the Am before breakfast and before I go to bed at night.
Avoid Dairy, Drink Raw Milk
Posted by Lauramcp (Picayune, Ms Usa) on 11/26/2012
★★★★★
I suffered from IBS for many years and after 1 month of avoiding all pasteurized dairy and drinking 1 8 oz cup of RAW goats milk per day my symptoms are greatly improved.